"Xuan Qing..."
Mrs. Lu called her husband worriedly.
"My sister's meaning is my meaning!"
Mu Xuanqing shouted sternly, leaving no room for negotiation.
He and his wife have always had a good relationship. This was the first time that Mu Xuanqing spoke to his wife in such a tone in front of others.
The king was furious, and the attendants around him all showed fear. They knelt down and prostrated themselves on the ground, not daring to move.
Lu knew that he must have known that the Xie family wanted to take a concubine, which was why he was so angry. He came here despite the fact that his legs and feet had not yet healed.
She knew her husband's temper.
He already hated his own incompetence. Because he didn't have his father's trust, he promised his sister to a big bandit.
For Wang Mei, this was already a huge injustice.
Now the Xie family still dares to treat her like this, how could he possibly endure it
Although she relied on her intuition, Lu always felt that the matter was not as simple as her aunt said, and there might be other hidden stories.
But her husband was the King of Changsha. He had already expressed his position, so how could she object
What's more, my sister-in-law's attitude is so resolute.
She had just saved her husband.
Even if the worst-case scenario is assumed, this sudden divorce will lead to a rupture in relations between the Changsha State and Xie Changgeng, the now powerful governor of Hexi, and even to a hostility between them.
But is there anything that would have more terrible consequences than Changsha almost losing its king and then being abolished
If her younger sister had not received the dream from the gods and delivered the life-saving letter in time, she would probably have lost her husband by now, Changsha would have lost its king, and the country would soon cease to exist.
Lu was a broad-minded person, so he felt relieved when he thought about it this way.
She pondered for a moment and nodded.
"That's fine. If you, Lan'er, are really determined to break away from the Xie family, my sister-in-law will definitely help you, just like your brother."
"As long as the country is here, you will be the princess of my Changsha country!"
Mu Xuanqing glanced at his wife, his expression relaxed a little, and ordered all the servants around him to leave.
"Sister, do you remember that your aunt passed away in the palace ten years ago when you were six years old? I never told you before, but your father clearly got the news at that time. There was something strange about your aunt's death, and it might have something to do with the current treacherous queen. But before your aunt died, she asked her confidant to bring her last words to your father."
"I was twelve years old at the time, and I still remember my aunt's last words clearly."
"My aunt said that life and death are determined by fate, and she has no resentment. The court has always intended to completely eliminate the king of a different surname, and she does not want Changsha to experience any turmoil because of her. My aunt told my father to be more cautious from now on, and to make the safety of Changsha the top priority."
"Sister, do you know what aunt meant by this? I didn't understand it at the time, so I asked father, but he wouldn't tell me. Later, I figured it out on my own, and it wasn't until the past two years that I finally figured it out."
"Sister, why did the court choose my daughter to be the empress? It may seem glorious, but it is actually a poison bait! My aunt died in the palace for no apparent reason. Perhaps they are waiting for the anger and injustice of my Changsha country. Once my father makes any unusual move, it will be the best excuse for them to attack my Mu family!"
"Father endured it to protect the foundation of our Mu family. He also agreed to the marriage proposal of that man named Xie and promised you to him."
"Father promised you to him and recommended him to the government because he hoped to use his power to protect the peace of Changsha. But this man surnamed Xie has been lured by the treacherous queen and has become very close to her. The treacherous queen has been isolating Changsha and suppressing it secretly under the pretext of eliminating the rebellious king."
"Father can endure it, but I can't. I will avenge my aunt sooner or later. What I said just now was definitely not impulsive!"
"This Xie, in order to wash away his identity as a great thief, proposed to my Mu family. Now, in order to rise to prominence, he is willing to be the running dog of the traitor. It is impossible for him to be on the same side with my Mu family. Not to mention, he is so disrespectful to you now! You were willing to marry him before, but now that you have changed your mind, no matter how incompetent I, Mu Xuanqing, will not force you to commit to such a despicable person!"
"Don't worry, sister. When Xie comes, I will make things clear for you!"
"From now on, I will do my best to strengthen Changsha and protect my sister, and I will never let you suffer any grievances again!"
The young king was excited and his eyes were bright. His sonorous oath showed his unparalleled determination and the pride and courage inherent in the children of the royal family.
A warm feeling surged in Mu Fulan's heart.
Xie Changgeng was the same age as her brother, but only a few months older than him. But no one in the world knew better than her how deep his mind was, how forbearing he was, and how cunning his nature was.
Regardless of whether her brother can really help her get rid of him, the love and care her brother and sister-in-law have for her is another precious possession for her after losing her beloved flesh and blood in this life.
From now on, she will do her best to protect this possession that she cherishes.
"Thank you, brother. Thank you, sister-in-law."
She looked at her brother the king and her sister-in-law in front of her and spoke word by word.
…
Half a month later, on November 12, the ceremonial officials of Changsha State received the news again.
Xie Changgeng, the governor of Hexi and the princess' husband, will arrive in Yuecheng in three days.
When the ceremonial officer began to prepare the etiquette to welcome the distinguished guest, he received an order from the king.
The king ordered them not to do anything.
They did not stop Xie Changgeng from coming, but they also did not make any preparations to welcome him.
The ritual officer was very confused.
Not to mention that Xie Changgeng's current official position is already very prominent. Hexi Jiedushi, stationed in Liangzhou, was given a banner when he was ordered to kill, and his government raised six banners, which made him extremely powerful.
Even if he was an ordinary person, as the princess's husband, coming to Changsha to pay homage to the late king, such "courtesy" was not justifiable.
But the king’s order cannot be disobeyed.
The ceremonial officer asked the Prime Minister Lu Lin. Lu Lin himself was also confused and could not find out anything from the queen. He wanted to persuade Mu Xuanqing, but he would not see him. He had to suppress his anxiety and told him to act according to the king's order.
On the fifteenth day, early in the morning, Lu Lin asked to see Mu Xuanqing again and urged him that no matter what the reason was, since Xie Changgeng claimed to be here to pay homage to the late king, there was no need to offend others like this.
But Mu Xuanqing still didn't listen to him and left in anger.
Lu Lin had no choice but to order people to open the city gate to welcome the guests. He brought his officials to the Temple of the Former King, where he waited for Xie Changgeng.
Xie Changgeng arrived in Yuecheng in the afternoon.
He was dressed in a blue shirt and black boots, and his clothes were very ordinary. There were only a few followers behind him, all of whom were clothed. So when he rode his horse to the city gate, the city guards did not expect that this young man who looked elegant and refined was the husband of the princess of Changsha, the famous youngest governor of the dynasty. Seeing that the person he was traveling with seemed to be carrying a weapon, they stopped him and questioned his origins.
These followers of Xie Changgeng had all been with him in the Yangtze River in his early years. They looked ordinary and could not be seen in a crowd, but in fact, they were all fierce bandits who killed people without blinking an eye. After entering Changsha State, they were already surprised by the other party's hospitality. When they saw the royal city, there was no one to greet them at the gate of the city. They were also stopped and questioned rudely by the city guards. They could no longer bear it and were furious. They were about to draw their swords on the spot, but were stopped by Xie Changgeng.
He sat on horseback, looking at the heavy doorway in front of him and the street scene of Changsha's capital rushing towards him. He gave his name with a calm expression.
When the city guards heard that he was Xie Changgeng, they were surprised and hurriedly stepped aside to make way.
When he came to ask for marriage three years ago, he had only been to the palace but not to the temple. He also asked the city guard for directions.
He looked in the direction he was pointed, squinted his eyes slightly, then drove his horse into the city.
When Lu Lin and his officials were waiting at the steps leading to the royal temple, Yuan Handing also arrived.
Yuan Handing stood there, motionless, his eyes looking forward, like a solidified rock pillar.
Lu Lin is older than Yuan Handing and is his elder in terms of age, but today, she is simply unable to be as steady as he is.
He really couldn't understand why Mu Xuanqing would put on such an arrogant attitude towards his brother-in-law who came from afar.
He was even more worried that if he offended Xie Changgeng because of this, it would not be a good thing for Changsha in the future.
Just as he was feeling anxious and looking around, he suddenly saw a green figure walking towards him from the end of the sacred road in the distance.
The green shadow gradually came closer and became bigger and bigger.
Lu Lin recognized at a glance that it was Xie Changgeng, whom she had met three years ago.
After not seeing him for three years, the young man's appearance has not changed much compared to my memory.
Perhaps, the new killings on the official road were just a continuation of his past as a bandit, and were not enough to add much blood to his eyes.
I saw him walking in this direction alone, his robe fluttering in the wind and his steps neither fast nor slow.
Lu Lin hurriedly led his men to greet him, and said with a smile, "It has been several years since we last met, and I could only hear of the governor's great reputation from afar. Today I finally get to meet him again. He is even more elegant than before, and it is a great honor."
His tone was extremely respectful.
Xie Changgeng stopped, returned the greeting, and smiled: "Prime Minister, your words are very kind. Prime Minister has worked hard for the country and the people, and has served ten people for one meal. Because I was late, I made the Prime Minister and all of you wait here for a long time. How ashamed I am."
Mu Xuanqing had offended someone badly today. Unexpectedly, when they met, Xie Changgeng acted as if nothing had happened, as if he didn't care at all, spoke politely, and responded thoughtfully.
Lu Lin finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Since the other party did not mention Changsha's misconduct, he himself would naturally not be stupid enough to bring it up, and hurriedly introduced Yuan Handing to Xie Changgeng.
"General Yuan is the adopted son of our late Prime Minister Yuan. Today, I learned that the Jiedushi was coming, so I came here to greet him."
Yuan Handing was only a general in Changsha State, which was a huge gap between his official position and Xie Changgeng's.
Yuan Handing looked solemn and neither humble nor overbearing. He bowed to Xie Changgeng and said, "I respectfully welcome the governor."
Xie Changgeng's eyes fell on Yuan Handing's face. He stared at him for a moment, nodded slightly, walked past him, and continued to move forward.
Lu Lin hurriedly followed and led the way for him until they reached the Wang Temple.
The temple gates have been opened.
Xie Changgeng washed his hands, held incense in his hands, and with a solemn expression, he entered the King's Temple and knelt down to pay homage to the many ancestors of the Mu family listed in the temple one by one. Finally, he performed the same ritual to the tablet of the old King of Changsha who had passed away three years ago. He was extremely respectful and meticulous.
After completing the ceremony, he stood up from the ground, inserted the incense into the incense burner, and walked back a dozen steps before turning around to leave the temple, whereupon he paused.
His brother-in-law, Mu Xuanqing, King of Changsha, had entered the ancestral temple at some point and stood in the hall, blocking his way.
The servants who were kneeling on both sides outside the threshold were gone.
Mu Xuanqing wore a white jade crown, a brocade royal robe, and a golden jade belt around his waist. His face was as white as snow and his expression was as cold as ice. He looked at him coldly.
It was quiet and dead silent all around.
It was as if the eyes of the dead were floating on the top of the temple, quietly watching the two people standing opposite each other on the ground.